HEADLINES -- March 13-15, 2003

March 15, 2003
* Jay Heater: Freitas eyes "glory", Mayweather bout
* Dan Rafael: Freitas promises knockout to honor late father
* Press Release: Freitas, Ramirez ready for war
* Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Arlington boxer keeps faith
* Dallas Morning News: Johnson turns into street-fighting man
* The Scotsman: Whatever happened to Lou who?
* Steve Kim: Go west young man
* Phila. Daily News: Deal proposed that allows Hopkins to be in main event
* Baton Rouge Advocate: Heavyweight visit
* AP: Ottke to fight Mitchell on home turf
* CP: Lalonde scores third win in comeback
* Buffalo News: Mesi prepares to resume career
* Memphis Comm. Appeal: McCain in the ring for federal boxing control
* Durham Herald-Sun: Camacho Sr. coming to Raleigh
* Thomas Gerbasi: Gabriel Ruelas and the fighter's life
* Rusty Rubin: Interesting fights on tap
* Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Metroplex may be jabbing for niche in big-time boxing
* Press Release: Gatti-Ward III on ropes
* Las Vegas Sun: Athletic commission suspends fighter who assaulted referee
* Boxing Talk: Santa Cruz on Telefutura
* Eastside Boxing: Rijker redux?
* Atlantic City Press: Don King's name not on street yet
* B.R. Bearden: P4P and why it means nothing today
* Miami Herald: Ex-boxer searches for PGA tour victory
* NY Daily News: Ex-novice kings open to crown
* Visalia Times Delta: Alafa moves up for nationals
* Collegiate Times: Weaver has Olympic dreams
* Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Boxing match was for a good cause
* Bridgeton News (NJ): Athlete KOing gender barrier
* Billings Gazette: Club show to feature midget boxing
* Wichita Eagle: Toughman fight comes to Wichita amid controversy
* The Mirror (UK): Wayne aims to give Harrison trouble and strife
* The Mirror (UK): Just tell us, Naz, it's over
* Belfast Telegraph: Callahan seals May Euro bid for Magee
* Belfast Telegraph: McCloskey wants to join pro ranks
* Belfast Telegraph: Gilnahirk grocer off the top shelf
* London Times: Spring's tale is a tribute to blood and guts
* UK: Edwards can punch his way to record
* SecondsOut: Pacquaio battles Kazakh today
* Manila Bulletin: Pacquaio stakes reputation as he meets Kazakh tonight
* Paul Upham: Green headlines in Perth
* Paul Upham: Duncan fires back at Schroder
* Natal Witness (South Africa): Boxing's punchy return
* South Africa: Makambi now off ropes, seeks South African title
* Zimbabwe: Heavyweight makes return
* India: Punjab women boxers shine
* Malaysia: Sabah boxers on the right track in KL

PRESS RELEASE

BERNSTEIN, TOMPKINS AND BUFFER REUNITE FOR "MONDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" CHUCK ZITO RINGSIDE REPORTER BROADCAST AND ANNOUNCING TEAM NAMED FOR MARCH 31 HBOPPV CARD

NEW YORK, March 14 - They have three of the most recognizeable voices in boxing history: the broadcast team of Al Bernstein and Barry Tompkins, and the golden-throated ring announcer Michael Buffer.

Put them together for the first time in eight years, and DiBella Entertainment's March 31 edition of "Monday Night Fights" is providing not only the best in boxing action, but the best voices in the game calling the show.

"I've worked with more partners than anyone else who ever announced boxing matches, but the eight years of working with Barry were special," said Bernstein of his history of working fights with Tompkins at ESPN.

"We could finish each other's sentences. There was and is a synergy that I believe enhances the telecast for the viewer, which after all, is our ultimate goal."

Adds Tompkins, "Over the course of time, I believe Al and I have done about 300 fights together. This represents a chance to reunite while working for a guy we both like, Lou DiBella. We're hopeful that it is the beginning of something new rather than the revival of something old."

"Monday Night Fights" premieres on Monday, March 31, and will be distributed by the leader in television boxing, HBOPPV. The Pay-Per-View broadcast begins at 8pm ET / 5pm PT and has a suggested retail price of $24.95.

Michael Buffer, the premier ring announcer in boxing today, will kick off the Pay-Per-View festivities in his own trademark style, and rounding out the team as a sideline reporter will be former Golden Gloves boxer and star of HBO's OZ series Chuck Zito. "It is great to be back at ring center with Barry and Al broadcasting from ringside," said Buffer. "It's been almost 10 years since we've worked together and I'm really looking forward to March 31st. I think the big winners on that night will be the fight fans who tune in because they'll get to see a super line-up of boxing with the best blow-by-blow and analyst broadcast duo EVER!" Headlining the inaugural broadcast of "Monday Night Fights" is a world junior bantamweight title fight featuring WBO champion Fernando Montiel (25-0-1, 19 KOs), putting his crown on the line against former World champion Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson (40-3, 27 KOs). Other bouts include a middleweight clash between Jermain Taylor and Brian Barbosa, a heavyweight battle between Derek Bryant and Eric Kirkland, and a lightweight bout featuring Angel Manfredy.

ABOUT THE BROADCAST AND ANNOUNCING TEAM

Al Bernstein is best known to a national audience as the voice of ESPN boxing, but he has also carved out a career of varied endeavors, and achieved success in television, radio and as a live stage performer and recording artist. From 19880 to 1998 Al served as analyst (and often host) of the Top Rank Boxing Series- winning numerous awards such as Boxing Broadcaster of the year. In 1990 he was the only sportscaster on Sports Magazine’s “Best 100 in Sports.” During that time Al also wrote and hosted over 20 anthology shows on boxing, and wrote and hosted the critically acclaimed “Big Fights Boxing” series on ESPN Classic Sports Network. Al now does special essays called “Bernstein on Boxing” every Tuesday night on classic sport. For all his 22 years at ESPN Al has covered all the major boxing matches for Sportscenter, and he continues now in that capacity. He also covers major league baseball, and NBA basketball, for Sportscenter, and has done play by play on college basketball for ESPN. Al has done over 50 major Pay Per View telecasts including great fights such as Marvin Hagler- Tommy Hearns, Evander Holyfield-Buster Douglas, Evander Holyfield-Riddick Bowe, Marivn Hagler-Roberto Duran, and Sugar Ray Leonard- Roberto Duran.

Barry Tompkins Recipient of six Ace Awards, four Emmys, a Press Club Award and the Sam Taub Award for Boxing Commentator of the Year, Barry Tompkins currently covers over 60 events a year for Fox Sports Net, including Pac-10 football, basketball and the Fox Sunday Night Fights. Over the last 30 years, Tompkins has covered five Olympic Games, 20 Super Bowls, six World Series, 14 Wimbledon Championships, six French Open Tennis Championships, three U.S. Open Tennis Championships, three NCAA Final Fours, The Masters and countless championship boxing matches.

Michael Buffer is world renowned for his tuxedo image and famous trademarked phrase “LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!”. He is considered one of the most recognized faces in the world of sports and entertainment due to his 19 plus years of announcing many of the biggest championship boxing events and many other internationally televised sports and entertainment events. He is considered the “Voice of Champions” by millions of fans worldwide. The demand for his special voice-over work for entertainment and special advertising and promotional campaigns is constantly growing due to the fact that his voice is so highly distinguishable to the public.

Chuck Zito, bodyguard to the stars, former Golden Gloves boxer, martial arts expert, past president of the N.Y. Nomads chapter of the Hells Angels, and actor on the award winning HBO drama Oz, is the star of the upcoming USA Network series Chuck Zito's Street Justice.

For more information on DiBella Entertainment, please visit our website at www.dbe1.com

March 14, 2003
* Atlantic City Press: A.C. rejects, then approves Don King Boulevard
* Pedro Fernandez: It's not about race with Klitschko
* SecondsOut: The Buzz - Arturo Gatti vs. Sharmba Mitchell?
* AP: Leonard's company starts legal action against Mesi
* Paul Upham: IBF sacks Dwyer
* AP: Boxing bill passes through House committee
* Pedro Fernandez: Weekend preview, notes and a glass jaw
* Boxing Talk: Gregory Leon interviews David Tua
* Boxing Talk: Gregory Leon interviews Hasim Rahman
* Andrew Still: Tua in top shape for vital fight
* USA Today: Klitschko confident he'll be redeemed in future fight
* El Paso Times: Klitschko's chin didn't pass the test
* Jason Probst: The derailment of Dr. K, and revised heavyweight Top 10
* Sean Stowell: Donnie Lalonde on the comeback trail
* Robert Morales: Distance now suits Freitas
* Press Release: Freitas press conference quotes
* Las Vegas Sun: Bring the punch, hold the pasta
* Las Vegas Sun: Adams takes training sessions overseas
* Fiona Manning: Jesus Chavez - "This is revenge!"
* Fiona Manning: Raul Franco's path to glory
* Fiona Manning: Help Hollywood spotlight Randy Shields
* Jason Probst: Popo, Pretty Boy, and the inaugural "Hasselhoff" award
* Naragansett Times (RI): Clampitt claims first belt
* Ft. Laud. Sun-Sentinel: Martinez returns for stiffest test
* Eastside Boxing: The tendency to over-react after surprising results
* Baltimore Sun: City boxer working to emerge from shadows
* Cleveland Plain-Dealer: Slow start, but fast finish for Bey
* Hartford Courant: Remillard learns to take charge
* Lebanon Reporter (Ind.): "Diego the Lionheart" is causing an uproar
* Monroe News Star (La.): West Monroe fighters make mark
* Dunn Daily Record (NC): PAL seeking boxers
* SooToday.com: Great boxing coach passes away
* Press Release: WBC News
* UK: Brodie ready to ignore Naz
* Belfast Telegraph: Wayne ready to clock Scott
* Irish Voice: Boxing is a Dunne deal
* UK: Brother following in Eastman's footsteps
* SecondsOut: Potter punching for redemption
Philippines: ‘Pacquiao’s a goner in absence of Roach’
* Australia: Mundine promises something new
* UK: Matt finishes his foe in style
* Uganda: Kayongo assured of pro debut
* Zambia: BBC to control purse money
* Ghana Web: One-day seminar held by GBA

For Immediate Release    

HBO SPORTS RE-SIGNS RENOWNED BROADCASTER/HALL OF FAME
MANAGER-TRAINER EMANUEL STEWARD TO A NEW MULTI-YEAR DEAL

NEW YORK, Mar. 13, 2003 - HBO Sports has reached an agreement with renowned broadcaster/trainer and boxing manager Emanuel Steward for a new multi-year deal, it was announced today by Rick Bernstein, senior vice president and executive producer, HBO Sports.
   
"Emanuel Steward has been in the center of the boxing landscape for thirty years," said Bernstein. "He has always brought great depth and insight to his roll at HBO and we are delighted to have him continuing working at ringside as a broadcaster."
   
Steward, a former National Golden Gloves champion himself, has been inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York for his training and management roles in boxing. He serves as expert commentator on HBO's boxing series BOXING AFTER DARK and will continue to work as co-host on HBO Pay-Per-View telecasts.
   
For over three decades his world famous Kronk Boxing Gym has been a cultivating ground for boxers of every age and size, from legendary world champions to pre-teen Junior Olympic hopefuls. In addition to world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, Steward has handled a record-setting 30 world champions, including Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Prince Naseem Hamed, Aaron Pryor and Leon Spinks. He is currently serving as the National Director of Coaching for the USA Amateur boxing organization.
   
"I am proud to remain a member of the distinguished HBO boxing team," said Steward. "The new deal has me very excited. I am looking forward to seeing and analyzing the historical and great fights that are in store for HBO over the next few years."



March 13, 2003
* Halifax Herald: Kirk Johnson's pot of gold
* Press Release: Savarese and Johnson have it all to fight for
* Max Boxing: IBF drops Ch'ship Committee Chairman Joe Dwyer
* Joe Aquilar: Heavyweight hodgepodge
* Vida en el Valle: Fresno to host Mayweather title defense
* Paul Upham: The "Conqueror" William Abelyan
* Miami Herald: Murphy enjoys his main event status
* David Mayo: Loss costs Balbi fight, big payday against Mayweather
* Tahoe Daily Tribune: Caesars Tahoe presents April 12 heavyweight fight
* David Payne: The heavyweight landscape
* Boxing Insider: Tunney/Dempsey "long count" ring for sale
* Cleveland Plain-Dealer: Boxer gets rare chance to fight at home
* Monterey County Herald: Salinas' Vega wants to stay undefeated
* Rochester Dem. & Chron.: Barnes besting school of hard knocks
* Contra Costa Times: Boxer Ward keeps the faith
* Sonny Palermo: The heavyweight champion of the world
* Lafayette Daily Advertiser: "Battle of the Badges" to benefit at-risk students
* Manchester Union-Leader: Big V boxing card draws gold medalist commentator
* The Independent (UK): Tough road to Athens
* Glasgow Herald: Harrison is destined to be the best, claims Maloney
* Belfast Telegraph: Wayne to face Harrison
* UK: Witter determined not to slip up
* BBC Online: Audley to step up
* Anthony Evans: Francis - "Samil Sam is in for a shock"
* The Scotsman: Arthur to face African Malinga
* Clive Bernath: Watson prepares for latest test
* SecondsOut: Piccirillo - "This time I'll win by KO"
* James C. Dillard: Story about Discombobulating Jones
* Philippines: Pacquaio's foe gives fight fans a sampling
* Manila Bulletin: Pacquaio's foe - I'll break RP hearts
* Italy: Perugino to make full recovery
* UK: Amateur Grant angered by decision
* Ireland: Westport hosts Mayo boxing ch'ships
* Ghana Web: Amidu chases Jabir
* Uganda: Lubega now a bomber

Copyright 2003 Total Action Inc.